Join Angela Gautreau, and Alisha Nissenfeld November 3-5 for a 3 day, 2 night Leave No Trace Backpacking and Yoga Retreat along The Mountain to Sea Trail. We’ve chosen a 13 mile intermediate hike on section 4 of The Mountain to Sea Trail in Western NC. This means we’ll hike in with our packs on day one, set up base camp, sleep over and day hike w/o full packs on day two, sleep at base camp again, and hike out on day three. This path is a loop so we WON’T have to shuttle to start and ending locations.

We’ll meet in Western NC at 11:00 AM for a 12:00 PM hike time. Our journey will take us through the Pisgah National Forest ridgelines, we’ll climb peaks to dramatic views, and meander along creeks that lead to stunning waterfalls.

It will be chilly this time of year in the mountains. Cold weather gear is a must. We will send packing logistics as well as the GPS points upon completion of registration and payment.

We provide a safe and supportive environment for those who identify as women to help promote self-awareness, empowerment, learning to problem solve in unique situations, trusting self and others, mindfulness, building tolerance and resilience, sitting in discomfort and learning to support and accept support from a group. 

Weather policy: Day hikes can/ will be rescheduled if weather becomes hazardous. While we would love to be fair weather hikers (because sunny moderate temperatures are marvelous), we cannot control weather once we are on the trail for an overnight/extended back packing trip. What do we do when it’s hot, rainy, windy, cold…we hike! We take consideration when planning routes that leaves us with possible short cuts out if there is a safety issue identified. We are all in this together, let’s get MUDDY!

Refund policy:

100 % refund is available within the first 24 hours of registration, no questions asked. If you need to cancel your registration within 3 weeks of the trip, you can receive 100% credit toward a future backpacking trip. A cancelation within 21-7 days prior to the trip, you can receive 50% refund toward a future backpacking trip. No refund will be offered within 7 days of the trip. Please note, refunds cannot be applied toward Beach or Mountain retreats.

If there is a need to cancel the trip due to unexpected circumstances with the guides, a full 100% refund or credit toward another trip will be offered.

Cost:
$400 per person PayPal or Venmo @alisha-nissenfeld
alishanissenfeld@gmail.com for more information.

Become a sustainer and help pay for others to attend

Registration Details:
In order to secure your space, you must register and pay for the trip no later than July 24th. Soon after registration and payment are completed, we will send an email that includes (a) waiver and (b) medical form, (c) a detailed packing list for gear and food, (d) and trip-specific information .

Required Equipment:

• Backpack; suggest 40-45L or bigger

• Stove to cook your own food

• Bowl and utensil for eating. Note most cooking systems can serve as your bowl

• Water purifying system (water chlorination or filtration system)

• Shelter (1-2 person freestanding backpacking tent recommended due to weight or hammock)

• Headlamp with extra batteries

• Trowel for Leave No Trace bathroom practices. 

• Sleep system (cold weather sleeping pad and sleeping bag/quilt recommended)

Additional items to consider

• Sturdy pair of hiking boots or trail running shoes

• Sunscreen 

• Hat

• Toothbrush/toothpaste

• Hand sanitizer; biodegradable wet wipes

• Camp pillow for sleeping

• hand/foot warmers

• trekking poles

• Basic first aid supplies for yourself

• Bear bag and at least 30 feet paracord to hand food

Clothes Non cotton layers are key. Consider a pair of clothes for hiking, wool long sleeve top, long pants, socks, warm hat for sleeping, swimsuit, and always an extra pair of dry socks. A fleece or down jacket is also recommended for night time. A raincoat is also highly recommended.

Trash bag (This is placed inside your backpack as a liner and serves to keep all belongings dry if it rains and works better than a pack cover

Food we will provide dinner on night one, breakfast, lunch, and dinner for day two, and breakfast for day three.. We also provide snacks and yummy treats like hot chocolate, trail mix, and other good fuel healthy items. Food will be distributed on day one and each person will carry these items.

You will be gifted a travel yoga mat, if you have one already please let me know. 

Packing:
You will receive a video on how to properly pack your pack. We will also offer an in person meeting if there is demand.

Note*** You will carry all of your own things, please make sure you're not carrying too many extra items.